Sebastian sent me this press release from Moms Demand Action that says they plan to make their new efforts follow a back to school theme. They will promote a website that tries to convince anti-gun people not to allow their children onto the campuses of colleges that have to allow the presence of firearms. They are promoting CVS and Costco as stores that should be applauded for banning licensed concealed carry holders from their stores, and asking their members to buy their school supplies there.

But I think what I find truly offensive about their press release is the fact that they claim women really only have a moral authority to talk about guns if they have used their reproductive organs to procreate.

Oh, and their new corporate target is Staples since it has no company wide policy banning all guns. (There are apparently stores that do it, and they have a state policy in Arizona banning them, but they are allowed in some stores in some states. But nothing short of a nationwide gun ban is good enough for Moms Demand Action.)

27 Responses to “Defining Women Down to their Girly Parts”

CVS and Costco, at least here in Tampa, do no such thing. If there are any “No Guns” signs, they are placed on doors that are not the main entryway.

I think a lot of businesses *say* they don’t allow guns in their stores along the same way they say they don’t allow methamphetamines – easy to just claim you don’t allow them but do nothing to actually prevent them from entering, thus pleasing the easily mislead.

Agreed, I’m not aware of any CVS or Costco stores in Texas that have legally and properly banned licensed carry. And Texas CHLers are pretty good about shaming businesses that do post the proper signage. There is even a website for that! http://www.texas3006.com

I’m not sure I see the issue regarding defining a woman by their decision to have children. Although I think the quote from their program director comes off with an air of superiority, nothing they said indicates a sense of superiority over women who are not moms.

“Moms have the moral authority and the economic power not only to make a difference, but to drive the solutions.”

They are, by their name and own definition, a group of mothers lobbying for a cause they believe has moral implications. They don’t say they have a morally superior authority compared to women who don’t have children.

I disagree because of the word choice there of “the moral authority.” This fits very closely with what some of their members said in Houston. One actually said that my opinions on the issue didn’t count because I’m not a mother. The question of whether or not I had decided or not to make babies actually determined whether they believed my voice should even be considered in the discussion at all.

A real woman (not necessarily, and usually NOT a “feminist” in most cases) would be interested in defending hearth and home against an attacker who would pose a threat to her family. I don’t see how that fits with the anti-gun narrative. But of course “feminism” today is really just an excuse to foist a bunch of liberal talking points on women come election time, so it’s worth distancing ourselves from the label anyway. Too much baggage attached.

As for Phoenix, 2 Costco locations in the eastern metro Phoenix area (Gilbert, Mesa) have textual signs prohibiting entry with a weapon. I assume this practice to be common statewide, but I can’t verify it. All Staples locations in the same area which I’ve seen have a “firearms prohibited” sign published to the standard specified in ARS 4-229.

This email is in response to your October 20, 2006 letter to our Investor Relations department, regarding Costco’s “No Firearms” policy at its warehouse stores.

As an initial matter, Costco is not a place of “public accommodation” within the meaning of civil rights laws. The definition of “public accommodation” does not include a bona fide private club or other establishment that is not in fact open to the public. Costco Wholesale is a membership-only warehouse club. It is not open to the general public. It restricts membership to a limited group of qualified individuals who agree to membership conditions. We have the right, and the obligation to our members, to enact and enforce membership rules. The Member Service Employees at the exit doors are obliged to follow these rules. By obtaining a Costco membership card, our members agree to comply with the Membership Rules and the Privileges and Conditions of membership.

Costco does not believe that it is necessary for firearms to be brought into its warehouse stores, except in the case of authorized law enforcement officers. For the protection of all our members and employees, we feel this is a reasonable and prudent precaution to ensure a pleasant shopping experience and safe workplace. Our policy is meant to protect our members and employees in all warehouses around the world. This is not a new policy and we do not customize the policy for each individual city/county/state/country where we do business.The shopping experience is not enhanced by bringing a firearm into our warehouse.

Despite what the letter says, I didn’t see anywhere on the membership info that firearms are prohibited in the store. You would think that it would be under general policies.
And my local stores don’t have a No Firearms or No Weapons sign displayed either.
When they have a problem with me conceal carrying there, I’ll be happy to terminate my membership.

The other thing I find interesting about Moms Demand Action, is that they seem to be a lot like the Moral Majority. They are actually the minority. Most of the women I talk to here in Oregon (the conversation is usually started because of a pro-gun shirt I’m wearing) are actually pro gun and want to be able to protect their kids and family.

Bitter makes a great point about “moms.” It is true that there’s an assumed superiority for those who have given birth. Childless women are generally treated like variations of males. Most women talk about their shared experiences raising families, balancing work with home life, etc. Women who have never had kids are missing that life experience. It’s very noticeable in the workplace.

In theory, yes. However, I’m sure they would be happy to dismiss your opinion as clearly being the result of male brainwashing. There’s not much consistency to their arguments along these lines. Their views are always superior, and they are always the elite and informed ones – in their own minds. I have no problem when one person believes they are right over others. I do have a problem when they translate that into arguing that anyone who disagrees should have no voice or deserves no respect.